Security hinge for filing cabinets



Nov. 17, 1959 C. G. MARTIN SECURITY HINGE FOR FILING CABINETS Filed July 15, 1957 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEX CHARLES G- MART/N United States Patent SECURITY HINGE FOR FILING CABINETS Charles G. Martin, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor of onethird to Thomas Blaylock and Edward M'anthey Application July 15, 1957, Serial No. 672,037

1 Claim. (Cl. 312-216) This invention relates to an improved security hinge for filing cabinets, and has for one of its principal objects, the provision of a device of the class described which will, in a single operation securely lock one, two or more of the drawers of an ordinary filing cabinet, and in such a manner that not one of the drawers can be opened by an unauthorized person without practically completely demolishing the cabinet or the locking element.

One of the important objects of this invention is to provide a locking hinge which can be readily applied to practically any type of filing cabinet, either wood or metal and regardless of size and which when so applied, will provide a very secure locking means, while at the same time being very easy of opening and subsequent access to the contents of the cabinet by any one having the proper key or lock combination.

Another and further important object of the invention is to provide a multiple locking means for filing cabinets or similar containers which is simple of construction, easy of operation and of a relatively low cost.

Another and still further important object of the invention is to provide a multiple locking means for filing cabinets or similar containers which is simple of construction, easy of operation and of a relatively low cost.

Another and still further important object of this in vention is to provide a locking hinged plate for containers of various types, which is so constructed that its condition, whether locked or open, can be readily ascertained at a single glance, from quite a distance and with a minimum expenditure of time.

Other and further important objects of the invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the accompanying drawings and following specification.

The invention, in a preferred form, is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a typical filing cabinet, showing the improved novel security lock hinge applied thereto and in position thereon.

Figure 2 is a detail view of the upper right hand corner of the face of the cabinet shown in Figure l, but illustrating the padlock or similar element removed, thereby leaving the contents available for access.

Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2, but showing the hinged locking plate turned back out of the way, allowing the drawers to be opened as distinguished from the unlocked but still barred position of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a slightly enlarged sectional view taken on the plane of the line 4-4 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, but showing the padlock removed and the locking hinge thrown back, leaving all the drawers in the cabinet accessible for ready opening.

Figure 6 is an enlarged section, taken on the plane of the line 6--6 of Figure 1, looking downwardly.

As shown in the drawings:

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The reference numeral 10 indicates generally a representative filing cabinet which may be of any particular size, shape, height and which may contain one, two or more drawers 12, as shown. A1so,.the cabinet may be wood, metal or other material; and its interior construction can be any one of the numerous types and styles now on the market. The drawers are equipped ,with handles or the like 14 for ready operation and identification tags or plates 16 may be employed, as is usual in an-apparatus of this sort.

There are already on the market numerous types of locking means for drawer containing cabinets, some of which are applied to the individual drawers, and others which have a single key or similar operated lock, which through some construction inside the cabinet, serves to hold all the drawers securely closed. However, these are either cumbersome, time consuming or expensive, and

open to other objections which are eliminated by the ap paratus of this invention. Y I

This comprises essentially a metal strip or the like 20 which is securely fastened to the side of one forward edge of the cabinet '10, and this can be by means of screws, bolts, rivets or the like 22, which in themselves cannot be removed without practically destroying the entire structure.

This plate 26 is joined by a piano hinge or the like 24 to a similar plate 26, which, as shown, may be slightly wider, and both plates 20 and '26 are of such a length that they usually extend from the top to the bottomzof the cabinet 10. Obviously, when the plate 20 is fastened to the cabinet, as shown, and the plate 26 swung about the hinge 24 into the position shown in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 6, the drawers 12 cannot be opened without moving the hinge-plate 26 into approximately the position shown in Figure 5, whereupon any or all of the drawers can be opened to any desired extent.

As best shown in Figures 4 and 5, the upper end of the hinge-plate 26 is preferably provided with reinforced lugs or protuberances 30, which are usually welded or otherwise securely fixed in position. These are spaced apart, as illustrated, and correspond with a slot or notch 32 cut into the hinge-plate 26 in juxtaposed intermediate relationship to the lugs 30. This hasp-like arrangement permits the passage through the opening 32 of a projection 40-4-1, which likewise is riveted, welded or otherwise securely fastened to the inside of upper portion 42 of the face of the cabinet 10. The projecting portion 40 is slotted, as best shown at 44 in Figures 4 and 5; and when the hinge-plate 26 is moved into the position shown in Figure 4, the shackle of a padlock 50 or other similar device can be placed in position, whereby the cabinet drawers are all securely maintained in closed position by reason of the complete coverage of one side or edge of the face of each drawer by the plate 26.

As will be evident from Figure 2, the padlock 50 if removed, will uncover a portion of the face of the hinge- 1 be in sufiiciently large letters and displayed in bright' colors, whereby the condition of the cabinet is immediately apparent to even the most casual observer or to a Watchman or the like employed for the purpose.

It will be evident that herein is provided a security hinge lock for filing cabinets, which can be used upon practically any type of cabinet now on the market, which can be installed with little expense and labor, but which,

when installed, will completely serve the purpose; and in fact will be more reliable so far as quick inspection or observation is concerned than the more complicated and expensive locking constructions now present in some cabinets. i 7

There is absolutely nothing to get out of order in the device of this invention, and padlocks of all types can be used, either key operated or combination controlled. Ad-

ditionally, any tampering will be immediately apparent,

and even the fact'that the cabinet has been carelessly left unlocked can be ascertained at a glance. The fact that this locking means is attached to a cabinet will not interfere with its operation, even though it is one of a group positioned side by side; and one or all of the cabinets of such a group may be so equipped without any such interference. Furthermore, the lugs 31), in addition to reinforcing the locking construction, at that point, allow of a better guiding movement and a more ready insertion of the shackle of the padlock, and a subsequent better positioning of the padlock itself, and particularly with regard to the insignia shown at 60 in Figure 2. The insignia shown at 62 in Figure 3 can be on one or all of the drawers 1' 2v It will be noted that the lug 40 is slight- :ly bent or curved to facilitate swinging movement of the plate-26 about the hinge 24 and still provide good cooperation between the parts.

-' I am aware that many changes may be made and nuinerous details of construction varied throughout a Wide 3 I claim as my invention:

A security locking meansfor filing cabinets, comprising a cabinet of drawers, a plate fixed to one side of the cabinet at its forward edge, a second plate hinged to-the first plate for movement into and out of contacting position with all drawer faces, a locking lug fixed to the upper portion of the cabinet face and having an opening therein for the passage of the hasp of a padlock therethrough, the second plate having an opening therein for the passage of the locking lug therethrough, re-enforcements at the sides of the opening in the second plate, said re-enforcements comprising protuberances for a better positioning and positive retention of the padlock, the locking lug being curved along an arc to accommodate the swinging movement of the locking plate about its hinge, insignia on the hinged plate to immediately indicate absence of the padlock, and additional insignia on at least one of the drawer faces to indicate an open position of the locking plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 981,825 Voight Jan. 17, 1911 1,366,451 Hawley Jan. 25, 1921. 1,510,772 Eubank Oct. 7, 1924 1,673,291 Matchette June 12, 1928 2,227,803 Bales Jan. 7, 194]. 2,452,512 'Wells Oct. 26, 1948 OTHER REFERENCES Popular Mechanics magazine, page 102, July 1942. 

